Intel launches MBA finance program with University of Texas

Intel Corp. and the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas are launching the Corporate Finance Fellows Program for MBA candidates.

The program, which includes five students this academic year, features MBA candidates working on a real-world corporate finance issues such as assessing the viability of new markets from strategic and financial perspectives. The new program is being marked with a Thursday luncheon at the AT&T Conference Center, University of Texas officials said.

California-based Intel (Nasdaq: INTC), which employs more than 100,000 globally, develops technologies for microprocessors, platforms and base software in Austin. It also develops silicon solutions for devices such as hand-held computing combined with network storage products, according to the company’s website.

The company employs about 1,300 local workers at its chip design center, where it focuses on Atom processor-related designs for devices such as entry-level desktops, tablet computers, smart phones and consumer electronics.

In addition to the fellows program, the company operates an annual internship program for about 100 University of Texas students in which students work 10 to 20 hours per week for a calendar year.

The Corporate Finance Fellows Program is expected to bring together selected students to work on a team project designed by Intel and eventually other corporate partners. Each selected student will participate in a three-credit-hour practicum course in the spring semester, with oversight and guidance both by McCombs faculty and Intel executives.

The team will present their findings to Intel management at the end of the semester, with a trip to an Intel facility or office sponsored by the program. Most of the students would then work as interns for Intel, officials said.